Dec 22, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) runs onto the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images Katie Stratman
Throughout the offseason, there's been plenty of noise surrounding Cincinnati Bengals' defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
The 30-year-old made headlines last month when he showed up to the Bengals' facility for offseason workouts, but didn't participate due to an ongoing contract dispute. Hendrickson told local reporters he wouldn't play on his current deal, which has one year remaining and $15.8 million in base salary. That has opened the door to speculation on what Hendrickson's next move is. Do the Bengals trade him to get something in return or will they end up paying him?
Trey Hendrickson just spoke for 22 minutes. Says he will not play this season on his current contract.
His arrival today at voluntary OTAs is a result of things becoming “personal” after being informed by Zac Taylor on Monday he would be fined for missing mandatory minicamp. pic.twitter.com/M5dJ7Vko2r
There's been no concrete reporting as of yet, but NFL.com's Marc Ross wrote that he would like to see Hendrickson traded to the Eagles:
The Eagles dominated the Chiefs in the Super Bowl with a relentless pass rush, but Philadelphia has questions on that front heading into the 2025 campaign, given the loss of Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith's injury and the inherent need for young guys like Moro Ojomo (2023 seventh-round pick) and Jalyx Hunt (2024 third-rounder) to level up. General manager Howie Roseman hit big on the trade for wide receiver A.J. Brown in 2022. Trading for Hendrickson, who's in a contract standoff with the Bengals, could provide a similar effect for the defense. Plus, the Eagles just cleared more cap space by dealing Huff. This would be a case of the rich getting richer -- and a move I wouldn't put past Philly.
Hendrickson is one of the most productive pass rushers in the NFL. He's tallied 17.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons and had double-digit sacks in four of the last five. The only players with more are Myles Garrett (73.5) and T.J. Watt (72), just ahead of Hendrickson's 70.5.
Trading for Hendrickson would give the Eagles a boost on the edge, where they lack consistent production. Nolan Smith is clearly the Eagles' best edge rusher after recording 6.5 sacks during the regular season and four in the playoffs. Outside of him, there are still question marks.
Jalyx Hunt had flashes as a rookie — especially late in the season — but hasn't proven he can be a reliable starter for an entire season. A couple weeks ago, Brandon Graham praised Hunt, saying "the sky's the limit" for him, but he only played 23% of the defensive snaps all last season. Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari were brought in on cheap one-year deals in free agency, though both have lacked consistency. Uche had 11.5 sacks in 2022, but has only had five since then. Ojulari had eight sacks as a rookie in 2021, but has yet to play more than 11 games since.
The reality is, the Eagles have some uncertainty at edge rusher. It's not a glaring weakness, yet it's not the strength it typically has been for the franchise. Adding Hendrickson could change that. His lowest sack total since becoming a full-time starter in 2020 with the New Orleans Saints is eight. There's a reason he wants to be paid, but the Bengals are in a tricky position.
They've handed out massive extensions to quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receivers, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins over the past couple of years. The Bengals have largely ignored the other side of the ball and it's led to problems. Last season they were a bottom-10 defense, giving up 25.5 points per game. They do have cap space — $27 million per Over The Cap — and have still chosen not to give Hendrickson a long-term extension. The Bengals' mandatory mini-camp starts Tuesday and with no deal in sight, Hendrickson will sit out, leaving the door open for a potential exit.
The question is whether the Eagles are willing to give up assets to get Hendrickson and subsequently give him an extension. In 2022, the Eagles traded a first-round pick for A.J. Brown when the Tennessee Titans didn't want to pay him. Howie Roseman immediately gave him a four-year, $100 million dollar contract. This situation is a little different.
Brown was 24 years old at the time, while Hendrickson turns 31 in December. The risk is definitely greater trading for an older edge rusher, especially considering how much money Hendrickson is going to ask for. Hendrickson hasn't specified how much he wants to be paid, though it's surely a hefty sum. The Cleveland Browns just handed Garrett a four-year, $160 million payday after he previously requested a trade. Since Hendrickson's sack numbers mirror Garrett's, he'll likely want something in that ballpark, even if he's not the same level of overall player.
Hendrickson has made it clear he wants to get paid. Other than speculation, there haven't been any reports linking him with the Eagles. But Roseman is always on the prowl, and he could pounce if he sees an opening.
